If you have a secure network with confidential information, then there may be some safeguards you need to put in place.

But this doesn't mean employees should waste hours of their valuable time ferrying equipment to IT to have it "approved" (i.e. having its serial number recorded on paper in a lever arch file).

Guests can’t use wifi, or need to fill in a convoluted form to do so

If your guests (i.e. prospects or leads) can't connect to wifi, I would say the experience is like visiting a restaurant without a water closet. All you will do is cause them unnecessary discomfort and they will think your company is just a bunch of amateurs.

Do everyone a favour and install a guest network with a simple password that everyone can share.

Whoever came up with the following play on Maslow's Hierarchy was expressing something we've all felt...

Connecting your own device to the network is forbidden

In a similar point to the one above, this one is stupid.

There are many a time when someone will need to get online using a device that their workplace might not have given them.

Perhaps they need to check if a site works on mobile. It could even be that they are using their own computer because your organisation hasn't given them the software they require.

To work remotely you need special permission (and often a convoluted VPN)

Working remotely for many types of team (especially developers) is the new norm.

Any changes to the website (no matter how small) require an unnecessary business case

However, if your business requires someone to spend a huge amount of time completing paperwork or online forms to make small, quick, positive changes, chances are you are lagging way behind the competition.

Kill this backward thinking. It helps no one.

Tech support processes are used to delay work rather than make things easier for everyone

There is a sad reality within many organisations: the technical team are so demoralised and depressed with their work, they really don't want to help anyone.

As a result, they adopt passive-aggressive strategies to delay their work.

Projects are rolled out 'big bang' style but with minimal testing and no resource to deal with problems

Your website displays messages like this

If it does, hire an agency. Immediately.

WordArt appears without irony

Remember this?

While I haven’t got anything against WordArt per se (indeed, it can have a certain tinge of nostalgia about it), using WordArt without understanding its implications may result in any hint of credibility your organisation has burning into a fine ash from which the most robust phoenix could never emerge.

So unless you understand the potential taboos, don't ever use WordArt. Or Impact or Comic Sans.

What have you seen?

Having smashed your head against multiple tables and walls, does your forehead bear the wounds of desperation? Or have you walked into a company only to leave having lost the will to live at their digital backwardness?

Vent your anger and frustration and share your horror stories with the masses in the comments below!

I feel your pain Georgia... I generally carry a 4G dongle around with me whenever I head to a new office, especially if there is any trace of WordArt hanging around :)

about 4 years ago

Jean-François Petit

"Projects are rolled out 'big bang' style" . I just love that expression. It is unfortunate that it describes so well what most of our clients still do (the big makeover, you know...), despite all our efforts to the contrary and the good intentions.

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